" Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands."

- Anne Frank

April 19th, 2015

In This Issue:

Welcome Back

We Honour and Remember

We Sing and Dance

MJDS Hosted CHAT Guests

An Invitation from Beth David

MJDS Upcoming Events

Gal and Ishai lead the remembrance ceremony

Welcome Back

As a community, we return from the joyful family experience of Pesach - the freedom of Exodus and birth of a nation to the darkness of remembering the Holocaust during Yom HaShoah. This coming week on Yom Hazikaron we will honour and memorialize Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terror and the following day we will celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut as we commemorate the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948.

As each one of us experiences these events in our own way, at MJDS the children are presented with the knowledge, learning and experience that is appropriate for each age and level. The overarching message is one of awe and respect, of gratitude for what we have and towards those that have made it possible. Above all, we want to instill in our children a deep sense of optimism, to have them believe, as Anne Frank "In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart."

We invite you to read this article written by Andrea Lulka about Yom HaShoah and MJDS.

Upper Elementary student at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial

We Honour and Remember

Rimon, Shalhevet and the Shinshinim, Gal and Ishai, visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Earl Bales on Wednesday. The children heard the stories of Survivors who escaped to England. The following Day, Yom Hashoah they had the wonderful opportunity to listen to survivor Jack Muskat (.who is now 89 years old) in their own classroom. Each child wrote to a survivor and told them how inspiring their story is. We are very grateful to Mr. Muskat for coming to tell us a truly harrowing and devastating tale (although he took care to avoid some of the most upsetting detail). We are also grateful to Gal and Ishai for making a respectful, thoughtful and moving presentation to our class. They included stories and photographs from their own families. Thank you. Very much.

In Magen David Yom Hashoah was marked by thoughtful reflection. Alla introduced the difficult subject of the Holocaust, lit 6 candles and asked the children to have a minute of silence. This was counterbalanced by telling them about two heroic figures: Anne Frank, and Janus Korczak.

Upper Elementary students counting grains of rice to gain an understanding of how many Jews perished during the Holocaust

We Sing and Dance

MJDS loves being part of the Toronto Jewish Community. Our choir, led by Cantor Eyal Bitton , sang with great spirit at this year's Zimriyah. Our dance troupe thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Rikudyah; as their leader Upper Elementary teacher Yaniv Abitbul helped them shine.

Yasher Koach!

MJDS mother and Lower Elementary student dance together at Rikudiyah

MJDS Hosted CHAT Guests

Last week MJDS welcomed Rabbi Moshe Yeres, Judith Shapiro and Ilana Shapira from CHAT as they visited to learn more about the community we serve, how we work, how the children get to a point of self-direction, independence and most of all loving to learn within the co-curricular Jewish studies all day every day. We are happy to share some of their comments.

From their first walk down the hallway they commented on the peaceful, warm environment. They were curious to see how the multiple ages work together, and if it truly worked as they had read about it. They were impressed with the children's focus combined with their socialization as well as the ambitious independent work that was taking place. Puzzle Maps in Casa, Hebrew Cards in Lower Elementary, and a 30-digit long division equation in the Upper Elementary. This is why MJDS is such a special place for children to learn.

"Thank you so much for taking the time to host us at MJDS yesterday. Seeing the students so focused, curious, independent and motivated to learn was inspiring." - Judith

Future MJDS student joined Kita Gefen for Friday morning t'fillah

An Invitation from Beth David

Next week we will be having a fabulous event for Yom Ha'atzmaut. It would be great fun for your kids and their families and Beth David would like to invite them to attend.

The event will feature live music with the Shul of Rock Band for the adults, a DJ and prizes and games for the kids, fabulous food - shwarma and kababs for the adults and hot dogs and stuff for the kids, a cappucino/latte coffee house and fireworks outside to end the evening.

It will be a great celebration and we would love to see the MJDS families out.

MJDS Upcoming Events

April 20- Spring Term After School Special Programs Begin

May 1- Café Theatre Magen David Level 3 students 2:30 pm at Beth David

May 4, 5, 6 - Picture Days

May 8 - Café Theatre Magen David Level 2 students 2:30 pm at Beth David